The Batemans Marine Park is again contested territory as a community group campaigns for fishing exclusion zones to be restored and the Narooma Port Committee resists.
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The Nature Coast Marine Group is lobbying the NSW Government to restore "no-take zones" lifted in December 2019. They include areas near Montague Island, in Brou Lake, Nangudga Lake and Wagonga Inlet.
The group quotes conservation scientist Professor Hugh Possingham: "The science shows that fish increase in number, diversity and size in no-take zones, compared with fished areas."
However, Narooma Port Committee chair Dr Philip Creagh says there's been no "improvement in fishery stocks to warrant the economic and social costs" of the zones established 13 years ago.
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The Save our Sanctuaries campaigners want the six zones reinstated before Christmas and say "important conservation gains were lost". Spokesman Bill Barker said their reopening was a "hasty decision without scientific advice and public consultation".
Dr Creagh disagrees, saying the original zones were "lines on maps that had no basis in environmental outcomes".
The campaigners say the reopening of the Montague Island Nature Reserve adds to stress on "endangered grey nurse sharks, blue gropers, seals, penguins and sea birds".
"Kelp forests and biodiverse rocky reefs under threat from encroaching urchin barrens face greater pressure. In Wagonga Inlet, seagrass habitats and breeding havens are at risk," Mr Barker said.
However Dr Creagh says the group is too narrowly focused on fishing: "Calls to identify threats to the overall marine environment were ignored. The current Marine Estate Management Authority has performed an extensive threat and risk assessment and fishing ranks a lowly 13th after pollution in all its forms."
Prof Possingham said the larger fish mattered: "Fish don't stop growing when they mature, and a fish twice as large produces many more than twice the offspring. Modelling studies show where about 30 per cent of an area is protected from all fishing, benefits to fishers in nearby waters are maximised. Full protection based on internationally recognised scientific principles is crucial to stave off rapidly declining biodiversity due to overfishing, habitat loss, climate change, pollution and invasive species."
However, Dr Creagh said stocks were well managed.
"NSW Fisheries have been performing an admirable task in managing NSW fish stocks," he said.
"Mr. Barker should be assured that in a well-managed marine environment, sanctuary zones are an unjustified imposition on our angling fraternity."
Dr Ceagh said original zones "caused enormous social and economic dislocation, especially for the southern end of the park".
"The only consideration the Authority and the various conservation groups, including the Nature Coast Marine Group, had was how to restrict fishing."
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The campaigners said bushfires and COVID-19 had "placed extraordinary pressure on our environment, communities and tourism".
"A flourishing Marine Park is a vital asset, supporting diving, fishing and boating businesses, and a draw card for the $300 million nature-based tourism industry," Mr Barker said.
However, Mr Creagh said the original zones had "done nothing to enhance tourism opportunities".
The campaigners said a government review now underway was "the proper mechanism to consider zoning and management issues" and that "more than 80 per cent of the park has always been open to recreational fishing".
"Most local fishers do the right thing and are passionate about a fishing future," Mr Barker said.
"They understand the value of no-take areas. The government should stand up for responsible fishing and support healthy future fisheries."
